BEER REVIEW: 433
BREWER: Mad Squirrel, Hertfordshire, England
STYLE: New England IPA
ABV: 6.5%
VESSEL: 440ml tin
DATE OF POST: 23rd January 2026
SAMMY SAY’S…
Buzzkill sets itself up with a name that promises mischief or at least a bit of edge. You expect something bold, maybe even a little chaotic. Instead, what arrives is a beer that feels like it’s trying to be interesting but keeps second-guessing itself.
The packaging is decent. Gold and black always suggest a bit of swagger, and the colours do catch the eye. But then there’s that strange line effect in the background, like static on a telly that’s lost its signal. It doesn’t ruin it, but it does make you squint a bit and wonder what the point was.
The nose is citrusy and clean. Lemon leads, with a flicker of bitter orange that’s actually quite nice. It sets up a promising start. First sip is bitter, almost too much so, but then it swings into sweet orange territory. The shift is quick, like someone changing the radio station mid-song. It’s not unpleasant, but it’s not exactly smooth either.
There’s no real complexity. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster, bitter then sweet, then not much else. You keep waiting for something more to arrive, a deeper note or a clever twist, but it never comes. The mouthfeel is fine, nothing to complain about, but nothing to write home about either.
Buzzkill isn’t a bad beer. It’s just one that doesn’t live up to its own name. You expect a punch, maybe a bit of drama, and instead you get a polite nod and a shrug. It’s drinkable, yes. You’d have another if someone handed it to you. But you wouldn’t chase it down. It’s the kind of beer that turns up to the party, makes a few comments, and leaves early.
Sammy’s Rating: 61%
JYMI SAY’S…
If I had tested / drunk Buzzkill (incredible name btw, especially coming from a black and gold tin) I would have said it was a tasty crushable 4.7% (ish) New England IPA. There is orange and mango flair throughout and this brews texture is smooooooth. And because of this Buzzkill is highly drinkable.
However, this is a 6.5% Double Dry Hopped IPA. So the fact that the nose, taste and aftertaste fade as well as the the body being fairly light means that Buzzkill was ultimately a disappointment.
I think this beer’s strength is also it’s weakness here.
Regular drinking conditions would see Buzzkill fly down, which in turn would be highly dangerous at 6.5%. But under test conditions it doesn’t deliver where it should.
Lovely beer but I think the usually very dependable Mad Squirrel just needed to dial this one up a bit.
Jymi’s Rating: 73%
MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 67%
MOB review next weekend: LOOPER by FULL CIRCLE BREW CO.
Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017
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M O B 2026
MUSE ON BOOZE 